B. Albopilosum lying on side

[hilltowner]

Hi, We've had our B. Albopilosum since the end of December. He is 1 1/2 years old. The owner of the store where we purchased him said that he thought he was going to molt soon. He ate the day we purchased him and we gave him a cricket a week later, but he's been burrowed ever since and we were afraid he may be molting and didn't want to put a cricket in if he was molting. In the last 2 days, he has burrowed a hole that cleared out two small areas of his glass enclosure, so we can finally observe him. We don't think he's molted yet (but it's hard to tell). We know they molt on their backs, but he spends a lot of his time on his side, pushed up against the glass of the enclosure. Should we be concerned? Thanks!

 

[brokenxspirits]

Any way you can post a pic? It might just be the way his burrow is shaped and that's a comfortable position for him, but the best way to tell is with a picture.

 

[hilltowner]

Any way you can post a pic? It might just be the way his burrow is shaped and that's a comfortable position for him, but the best way to tell is with a picture.

Thanks. We'll give it a try. not the best lighting.

 

[KezyGLA]

Sounds like moulting, dont disturb

 

[darkness975]

He is 1 1/2 years old.

How big is it? Because if it really was only 1.5 years old it would be pretty small.

 

[hilltowner]

Here's some pics!!

 

[hilltowner]

Another pic from day purchased.

 

[brokenxspirits]

Could be molting! How long has he been in that position? At that size you should start seeing movement soon but don't bother him.

 

[darkness975]

Here's some pics!!

Can you post a picture of the entire enclosure? I am afraid that I think I know what kind of enclosure it is and if it is then it is not the right one for your species.

 

[mack1855]

How big is it? Because if it really was only 1.5 years old it would be pretty small.

I don't think you can go off the petstores claim of age,unless they raised them from a successful breeding program.

 

[darkness975]

I don't think you can go off the petstores claim of age,unless they raised them from a successful breeding program.

That was the point of my statement.

 

[KezyGLA]

Exo Terra terrainiums are no good for small terrestrials.

 

[mack1855]

That was the point of my statement.

I was just elaborating on your good point.Not trying to steal your thunder.

 

[hilltowner]

We actually have bought it a new terrestrial terrarium, but haven't moved him because we didn't want to disturb him when he was burrowing/molting. We wanted to wait until he was out and walking around before moving him.

 

[Ungoliant]

We actually have bought it a new terrestrial terrarium, but haven't moved him because we didn't want to disturb him when he was burrowing/molting. We wanted to wait until he was out and walking around before moving him.

Any updates on your T?

 

[hilltowner]

He's moved to another area of the enclosure, but seems to rest on his side.

 

[hilltowner]

Here are pics of the current enclosure. We are going to move him to one of Jamie's Tarantula terrariums, that we already have set up, as soon as he starts coming out of his burrow.

 

[Andrea82]

Here are pics of the current enclosure. We are going to move him to one of Jamie's Tarantula terrariums, that we already have set up, as soon as he starts coming out of his burrow.

That enclosure has wayyy too much space between the substrate and the lid. This is not a terrestrial enclosure, it looks the same as where it is in now. Space between substrate and top should be no more than max 2 times the diagonal legspan of the spider.

 

[Anoplogaster]

Probably isn't anything wrong with your T. The enclosure, on the other hand, is a different story. Anyways, terrestrial T's can spend a lot of time not doing much. He might be in that position because it's comfy that way. Being on its side is not necessarily molting because the rolling over process is not that gradual. When a tarantula begins to molt, they will actively roll over. I've seen them do it

Keep us posted

 

[Crone Returns]

Have you seen him climbing the sides? If so it's possible he fell. That's a long way down for the little guy. Add more substrate ASAP.
My Ts don't molt until their abdomen is a black-purple.